The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-31
STUDY YOUR SCHOLARS.
BY MRS. O. 8. NIoKERsoN.

1 doubt not that if here and now the ques-
ton as to what the first duty of such teach
or would be, were asked of the company
present, large per cent would reply to care
fully prepare the less on. Never mind about
the lesson at first. Study your scholars! Get
them interested in something and thereby
learn something of the trend of their minds.
just as the most experienced and best trained
farmer studies his land to see which field is
best suited to grow grain and which is best
for grass, and then thoroughly understand
ing the condition of soil in each, sows his
seed, and in time reaps his harvest; 30 the
teacher, would he be successful, must under
stand the children before him, must know
how much knowledge of the Bible they al
ready possess, must learn if possible to what
sort of training they are subject during the
week, must try to understand the tastes of
each, and thus knowing them plant, as does
the farmer, according to such knowledge.
"But how" some one asks, "will such
knowledge help the teacher in the routine
work of the Sunday-school? and why will
knowledge of boys character and tastes
and habits help me to make him an interest
ed student of the Bible?"
In answer to the first question would say,
every child may, with proper training, be
made an assistant teacher. Let me take one
kind of a boy as an example. He is badly
behaved boy at home; he is at least mischiev-
GUS and disposed in the Sunday-school to
make fun of what the teacher says Only
short time will elapse after his entrance into
your class before he will try the effect of
some of his naughty words or acts upon his
fellows. Then if you do not understand him
and keep watchful eye upon him you may
expect small results from the lessons you try
to teach. But if you know him to be mis-
chievous or even worse, you will not only
keep him constantly in mind but in sight
during the entire session of the school.
We are reminded in this connection of a GER
tain teacher in public school who was report
ed by her scholars to have her eyes in the back
of her head. The reason for this assertion was
that one day as she was putting examples upon
the board for the next days work, and nec-
essarily standing with her back turned to-
ward the school, she CHANGED to give back
ward glance and caught glimpse of one lit
tie rogue passing note to a neighbor. De-
liberately finishing the column of figures
which she was placing before the scholars,
she said without turning round) Jimmy,
you may bring the note Johnny just passed
you to me, and both boys may stay in at re-
cess" So it seems to me that the Sun
day-school teacher must be able to see all
her pupils, but must be particularly watchful
in the direction of mischievous or inatten-
tive ones. Perhaps good way to conquer
the bad boy of the class would be to make
him the apparent favorite; to always reserve
a seat for him at your own right hand. to ask
him to pass the books, to look out your pas
sages of Scripture, or to do any little errands
which you wish done or can invent for him
to do. This may teach him self respect, and
in learning this new, good lesson perhaps he
will forget to let his bad traits show them
selves. His respect and liking for you as his
teacher will begin to grow also, and he will
listen to your instructions and begin to learn
of better things than those of his past life,
and the rest of the class, being no longer
hindered by his bad example, will become
teachable also.
So without many words it becomes appa-
rent that if there be an unusually good and
attentive boy in the class, he should be so
placed among the others as to be a constant
example to them, thus becoming of the great
est assistance in helping his teacher TO pre-
serve order and in instructing and interest
ing the pupils.
Church of Our Father, Chicago.